Arsenal will be looking to put another serious dent in Chelsea's Premier League title defence on Saturday with a victory at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's side head into the weekend having collected only four points from their opening five games, putting them some 11 points behind early leaders Manchester City.

The Gunners themselves are five points behind Manuel Pellegrini's side and will be keen to pick up another three in order not to fall further behind City, who host West Ham in Saturday's evening kickoff.

Arsene Wenger recorded his first victory over nemesis Jose Mourinho at the 14th attempt in the FA Community Shield at the start of the season; a 1-0 victory thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chelsea have not conceded a goal in more than four games; 392 minutes of Premier League action against their London rivals, but that record is in threat of being ended this weekend having conceded two or more in each of their five Premier League games this season.

Although they were playing in Croatia in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, Arsenal fans must go into this game with some confidence that they can win at Stamford Bridge for the first time since October 2011.

Here are three players who, if they are at the top of their game on Saturday, can help the Gunners come home with a victory:

Alexis Sanchez

The Chilean star is yet to score in the first five games of the new season, or hit similar form to last season, but should fancy his chances if Branislav Ivanovic starts.

Sanchez isn't short of trying to open his account for the season - his 28 shots on goal are the most among his teammates, and no Arsenal player has more than his eight shots on target through five games.

Chelsea's right-back has had a very difficult start to the season, torn apart by Jefferson Montero, Raheem Sterling and Callum McManaman.

Alexis Sanchez has pace, power and trickery to cause Ivanovic plenty of problems in this game. However, will Mourinho go with the Serbian at right-back? Cesar Azpilicueta started right-back in the Champions League in midweek, with Baba Rahman making his Chelsea debut on the left.

Could the Chelsea boss start with these two at full-back again this weekend? It would be a big call from the Special One to give the youngster his Premier League debut versus Arsenal.

Position

Team

Total Scoring Att

Ontarget Scoring Att

Appearances

Mins Played

Alexis Sánchez

FW

Arsenal

28

8

5

362

Olivier Giroud

FW

Arsenal

18

8

5

288

Santiago Cazorla

MF

Arsenal

13

5

5

450

Aaron Ramsey

MF

Arsenal

13

5

5

450

Theo Walcott

FW

Arsenal

13

6

4

194

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

MF

Arsenal

9

2

5

211

Mesut Özil

MF

Arsenal

5

1

4

347

Francis Coquelin

MF

Arsenal

4

0

5

384

Laurent Koscielny

DF

Arsenal

4

2

4

360

Héctor Bellerín

DF

Arsenal

1

0

4

360

Mathieu Debuchy

DF

Arsenal

1

0

1

67

Gabriel Paulista

DF

Arsenal

1

0

3

270

Per Mertesacker

DF

Arsenal

1

1

2

180

Nacho Monreal

DF

Arsenal

1

1

5

450

Francis Coquelin

For Arsenal to see a lot of the ball in this game, as they did when they drew 0-0 at home to Chelsea towards the end of last season, Francis Coquelin breaking up the play in the middle of the park will be key.

The French midfielder was rested midweek, so should be fresh for domestic battle. Chelsea are also without their number 10, Willian, as well as right forward Pedro. Oscar should be back in the starting lineup to replace his fellow Brazilian and be Coquelin's main threat, but don't be surprised if Cesc Fabregas steps into that role.

Eden Hazard loves to drift inside, too, and will be another player for Coquelin and his partner to pick up. Santi Cazorla is expected to play alongside him.

Only Leicester City's Ritchie De Laet (21) has won more tackles than Francis Coquelin (19) this season, so the Gunner is not short of form.

Position

Team

Won Tackle

Appearances

Mins Played

Ritchie de Laet

DF

Leicester

21

5

410

Jordan Amavi

DF

Aston Villa

19

5

450

Francis Coquelin

MF

Arsenal

19

5

384

Patrick van Aanholt

DF

Sunderland

18

5

450

Simon Francis

DF

Bournemouth

16

5

450

Nyom

DF

Watford

16

5

450

Robbie Brady

MF

Norwich

15

5

450

Yohan Cabaye

MF

C. Palace

15

5

434

Matteo Darmian

DF

Man Utd

15

5

428

Eric Dier

DF

Tottenham

15

5

437

Petr Cech

As well as good protection in front of the back four, behind them is important too. Petr Cech makes his first return to Stamford Bridge since leaving in the summer.

The Chelsea legend has already beaten his former employers in the Community Shield to start his Arsenal career, while he heads into this game on the back of three successive clean sheets.

Eden Hazard has not hit his best form this season, we've only seem glimpses of Diego Costa at his best, and both Pedro and Willian are absent – how busy will be Cech be?

Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista partnered midweek as Per Mertesacker has been ill of late. It will be interesting to see if this partnership remains intact, with the German World Cup winner available for selection again.

Barrie's View

Barrie's View is a football stat man focussing mainly on the Premier League. Barrie also contributes to other large football blogs, including Back Page Football and Foot Talk, and has been cited by the New York Times.